Margaret Beckett's performance as leader of the commons won her cross-party respect and her efficient management in the face of plenty of upsets from the Lords has no doubt warmed her to the leadership.

Mrs Beckett faced some party flack for her role in the disastrous 1999 European elections campaign – but her sound management in the Commons has seen her through troubled patches.

She is heading up a new cabinet department which incorporates sections of the old Maff, the demise of which was hastened by its handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis, as well as elements of the former department of environment transport and the regions.